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Author: Elizabeth Mullins
Death of Ruth Jebens
Eve Jebens shared the following obituary with Update.
It is with sadness that I share the passing of our remarkable mother, Ruth A. Jebens. She passed away April 29, 2026, in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Mom was born in July 1925 in Germany. She met our dad, Werner Jebens, at age 14, and married him in 1949. Mom immigrated to the US in 1950 and after 3 daughters, our parents moved to Pasadena, California in 1961. In her almost 101 years, she lived through and saw much change in the world. Mom lived a happy long life and will be missed by Gloria, Sue, and me.
Her nuclear family of five expanded to five grandchildren (Brandon, Bronson, Joe, Julie, and Jackie), 15 great-grandchildren (Alicia, Rachael, Felicia, Helaina, Nora, Steven, Preston, Gunner, Owen, Benjamine, Amelia, Brennan, Eamon, Indie and 1 due in August 2026), and 2 great great-grandchildren (Milo and Killian). Ruth also had six sons-in-law (Joe, Leon, Glenn, Mike, Ken, and Matt) and five daughters-in-law (Maria, Chanisa, Carolyn, Dawn, and Annie).
Mom was our matriarch since our dad’s passing in 2009. We will love and miss our parents till we see them again. Mom never said goodbye in the last years. Instead, she said, “Till we meet again.”
LiLY Women Conference
GC Cleveland held its 22nd Annual LiLY Women’s Conference on April 24-26, 2026, at Embassy Suites in Independence, Ohio. The event centered on Hebrews 12:1–2 with the theme, “Aligned with Purpose.” It was a powerful and transformative experience for the 82 women in attendance.
Here are some highlights:
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- Dr. Vicky Newsom (GC Queens, NY) delivered a heartfelt message, “Holding Truth in Heavy Times: Faith, Health, and Maturity in Christ.” She reminded us that we are God’s beloved — fully seen, fully known — and never meant to carry life’s burdens alone.
- Tamar Gray (GC Cleveland, OH) encouraged us to release every hindrance and cast it onto God. Her message was clear and freeing: nothing we face is too big for him to handle.
- Ruth Phillips (GC Queens, NY) challenged us to look within and discover our true identity in Christ — not defined by others, but by God. The Word of God is the only accurate mirror of who we are.
- A special moment of joy came through the humor of Clover Webb (GC Queens, NY) whose lighthearted presence created a perfect segue into our final session.
- Author and recording artist Maria Jacobs gave a profound and powerful story of redemption. She reminded us that God still speaks, still heals, and is always writing new beginnings in our lives.
We closed the day with an evening of intercessory prayer and heartfelt testimonies. The gathering created space for God’s presence, healing, and breakthrough, and we left encouraged, renewed, and aligned with purpose. We left confident in God’s love, strengthened in faith, and ready to walk boldly in who he has called us to be.
Rosa Hulse, Women’s Ministry Leader
Cleveland, Ohio, US
Meet Bryan Finley
“I really do believe in the priesthood of all believers, which means I’m not looking for people to ‘help me do ministry.’ I’m looking to help people step into their God-given calling.”
Bryan Finley serves as pastor of GC Grove City, leading the congregation through a season of revitalization. With an intentional and community-focused approach, he is helping build trust and re-engage the neighborhood.
Citizens’ Toolbox—Engage Across Generations
Citizens of God’s kingdom strive to minister faithfully to all age groups. To do so, we often separate members into groups based on age (older adults, middle adults, young adults, teens, children). While this approach is sometimes helpful, we must keep in mind the importance of providing ministry that is intergenerational. By “intergenerational,” we mean two or more age groups growing and living in faith together.
See the Church Hack below for helpful ideas to engage across generations. And for further reading, see this article by Ted Johnson.
Kingdom Living—Intergenerational Fellowship
Intergenerational ministry is imperative in our world where age groups are routinely separated in many settings. Sadly, one such setting tends to be the church. Enjoy the examples below of congregations who are intentionally including diverse generations.
Waikanae, Wellington, New Zealand
The annual New Zealand GCI autumn retreat brought members together at the El Rancho Centre in Waikanae for a weekend of worship, fellowship, and practical spiritual growth. Built around the theme “Kingdom Living in Action,” the event focused on how faith can be lived out intentionally in everyday life and community mission.
Interactive discussion was a central part of the weekend. Participants met in small groups to explore Scripture and reflect on how it applies to personal discipleship, our shared kingdom life, and spiritual discernment. Rather than simply listening, attendees were invited into thoughtful conversation and practical reflection. Later they shared key insights with the wider group.
Although reconnecting with old friends and meeting new people was an important part of the gathering, the weekend offered something deeper as well. Many participants came away spiritually renewed and better equipped to return to their communities with fresh vision and purpose.
The event encouraged attendees to find practical ways to embody Kingdom Living by joining Jesus’ mission in their everyday lives — at home, in their neighborhoods, within their churches, and through their relationships. Overall, it was a memorable blend of worship, community, encouragement, and practical spiritual formation.
Anthony Dady, Pastor
Auckland, New Zealand
Pasadena, California, US
We praise and thank the Lord for our recent retreat, which was a meaningful and enriching time together.
Each day we began with a devotional from a different leader. We also spent dedicated time in prayer and Bible reading. We had thoughtful discussions about how to strengthen our worship service and deepen our connection with one another and the wider community. It was also a blessing to enjoy fellowship over meals.
One highlight of the retreat was a movie night featuring “The Forge.” Afterward, everyone — including the children — shared how the film impacted them and discussed ways to apply its lessons within our community.
Angie Tabin, Pastor
Pasadena, California, US
Hyderabad, Telangana, India
The GCI Hyderabad congregation enjoyed a memorable day of fellowship, faith, and recreation during a picnic. The event was thoughtfully organized to strengthen relationships, promote unity, and enhance cooperation.
Worship services were held lakeside. Fun group activities encouraged participation and strengthened bonds.
By Praveen Chintha, Pastor
Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Grove City, Ohio, US
GC Grove City held a women’s self-defense class.
Glendora, California, US
GC Glendora enjoyed a fun picnic in the park.
Devotional—Kingdom Life in the Trinity
In the coming days, our calendar and worship experiences will focus on Pentecost and Trinity Sunday. As we focus on Kingdom Living, we will deepen our relationship with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
When speaking of the Holy Spirit, we often say, “when I received the Holy Spirit.” Jesus said that the glory the Father gave him — the Holy Spirit and all that he is — has now been given to us as well. So, perhaps it would be more accurate to say that the Holy Spirit has received you and me through the life of Jesus Christ from the Father.
Since the Holy Spirit is one with Jesus and the Father, we are drawn into him with everyone else. This means our relationship with God is not something we experience alone.
Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf. 1 Corinthians 10:17 NIV
Although our connection with God is personal, it’s not only an individual connection. We are all part of the loaf of Jesus Christ — the Bread of Life. Our connection with God and each other is within the Spirit.
As we live in the Spirit, we begin to see others differently — not as strangers or obstacles, but as people deeply loved by God. We also see our relationship with God and one another is already secure and united. It is eternally fixed in the Father, by the Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Father, we thank you that you are love. And we’re grateful that out of that love you have sent Jesus, and he sent the Holy Spirit to bring us into a loving relationship with you and all of humanity. We pray we can experience and share your love. Amen.
By Glen Weber, Elder Emeritus
Aurora, CO, US
Kingdom Living Means Pointing to Jesus
Dear GCI Family and Friends,
In his book Calling Christian Leaders, John Stott speaks to a unique characteristic of the Church.
Fundamental to New Testament Christianity is the ambiguity of the church. We are living in between times, between the first and second comings of Christ, between what he did when he came and what he will do when he comes again, between kingdom come and kingdom coming, between the “now already” of kingdom inaugurated and the “not yet” of kingdom consummated.
Consider that your church community (insert you congregation’s name) is the Church of God. Like Israel of the Old Testament, you are God’s holy people. We, the “Big-C” Church, have been set apart (sanctified) and belong to God. The irony is that much unholiness remains in the people of God. (We see this documented in the New Testament letters sent to the various churches.) Behaviors such as gossiping, quarrelling, immorality, complacency, jealousy, pride, etc. exist among God’s people.
This forgiven, redeemed, and holy organization called the Church is a mixed-up community. Unfortunately, too often it is the shortcomings that the world sees and not the perfect God, Jesus Christ, the head of the Church.
Kingdom Living is about growing in relationship with Christ. At the end of his second letter, the apostle Peter says we are to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior (2 Peter 3:18). This growth is about cultivating an intimate, personal relationship with Jesus. More than accumulating head knowledge about Jesus, we are experiencing Jesus and becoming more like him.
GCI Buzz—What Is Obedience
What is obedience? This month’s GCI Buzz invites us to see obedience as a response to God’s love. It’s lived out through trust and everyday faithfulness. As we follow Jesus, we reflect his love in the world.
Hiring HR and Risk Coordinator
Grace Communion International is seeking a Human Resources and Risk Coordinator to serve in our Financial Services Department. This full-time, non-exempt position is based in Charlotte, NC, and reports to the Chief Financial Officer.
Applications are now being accepted. See the job description here.
If you would like further details on the position or would like a GCI job application, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@gci.org or 980-495-3960.
Please share this announcement with qualified candidates who may be gifted for this position at the Home Office.
